Illinois House Bill HB5805

Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/2/24
• Refer: 4/2/24

Caption

MANUFACTURED HOME UTILITY BILL

Impact

The bill directly impacts the regulatory framework around public utilities in Illinois, specifically addressing the rights and responsibilities of owners and operators of manufactured home communities. By requiring the presence of submeters or implementing a fair billing ratio, it enhances transparency in how utility fees are calculated and billed to residents. It also mandates that owners maintain the water distribution system and associated meters, which introduces accountability in the management of utilities within these communities.

Summary

House Bill 5805 seeks to amend the Public Utilities Act by establishing specific provisions for water supply and billing practices in manufactured home communities connected to a municipal water system. The bill mandates that each manufactured home site must be provided with potable water. It outlines how utility charges for water must be made - either based on actual usage measured by submeters or using a ratio billing system if submeters are unavailable. This aims to ensure fair and responsible billing practices for residents of these communities.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB5805 may stem from the requirement for submeters. Communities lacking existing submeters must incur installation costs, which could be a financial burden for operators, potentially leading to increased rents or fees for residents. Additionally, there may be concerns about how the ratio billing system is implemented, as it could favor certain residents over others based on subjective criteria. Thus, discussions may focus on whether the provisions adequately protect both residents’ rights and operators’ financial interests.